Wesley House has received a new national accolade, with a feature in an exclusive list of just fifty of Britain’s cosiest hotels! It sits alongside The Bath Priory, chic bolthole The Levin in London and Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye.

The Telegraph newspapers national annual guide features a select list of cosy hotels in lovely surroundings, with warm fires, good hearty food and deliciously comfy beds. All of which Wesley House has in abundance and of course an enviable location in the heart of the glorious Cotswolds. This latest national honour really puts Winchcombe on the map, as a must visit destination for food and accommodation in the region.

Mathew Brown, owner of Wesley House is extremely proud that after 25 years, his restaurant with cosy Cotswold rooms is still wowing guests and journalists alike. He commented; “ Here at Wesley House we are passionate about great service, cosy accommodation and delicious local food, all within the surroundings of our 15th century Merchants House in Winchcombe, a quintessential Cotswold town. As an independent family owned business, we are really excited that The Telegraph has featured Wesley House in such a prestigious national list.”

An evening in the wine growing regions of Spain

Wesley House are once again hosting one of their regular Wine Dinners later this month. Taking place on Friday 21st November, Wesley House owner Matthew Brown will be joined by experienced wine specialist Amelia Singer, for a delicious Tasting Menu accompanied by wines from a handpicked selection of wine growing regions across Spain.

Amelia Singer has been in the wine industry for many years and has worked in wineries all around the world, (Bordeaux, Rioja, Chile) as well as with well known retailers, importers and online fine wine merchants, and has gained a holistic appreciation of the wine industry. Most recently she collaborated with Jamie Oliver on his new You Tube channel – Jamie’s Drinks Tube.

Matthew and Amelia will combine “serious” wine tasting with an element of fun, effortlessly combining expertly prepared dishes with a contemporary Spanish feel, created by Head Chef, Cedrik Rulllier.

The evening will start with an arrival drink at 7.30pm, followed by dinner at 8.15pm with delicious wines throughout. Tickets for the Spanish Wine Dinner are £75 per person inclusive of dinner, all drinks and wines.

Pedro Urbina visits the UK, with an evening at the Wine Bar & Grill at Wesley House

Tuesday 14th October

Diners can enjoy a great local steak from Martins Meats, expertly cooked and perfectly complemented by a delicious glass of rioja, and a distinctly Spanish feel. The Steak and Rioja event is taking place in our Wine Bar & Grill and will be a very relaxed evening, with Pedro Urbina from Bodegas URBINA, a family-owned, single estate winery, on hand to give background and insight into his families lovingly produced Spanish wines.

Find out more about the individual characteristics and flavours of the wines from the Urbina winery, which began in 1870 and to date four generations have dedicated their lives to the cultivation of their vineyards and the production of quality wine.

Pedro will be accompanied by Edward Burridge, who is the main agent for the Urbina Bodegas estate in the UK, Edward says, “Bodegas Urbina produces 400.000 bottles of Red Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva and 50.000 bottles of White and Rose derived from grapes of their own vineyards. AS they are cultivated using traditional techniques, harvesting by hand and avoiding the use of weed killers and pesticides, they have a beautiful full taste.”

A great selection of steaks will be available, plus additional courses including a sharing tapas board and a Crème Catalana sweet and even churros with coffee, alongside the current seasonal menu selections

Rhone Region Wine & Dinner Tasting Night

Friday 3rd October

After a short break over the summer, Wesley House are launching their new autumn season of popular Wine & Dinner Tasting Nights, starting on Friday 3rd October.

Once again Wesley House’s very own Matthew Brown will be joined by wine industry specialist Amelia Singer, who has recently worked with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to launch his new ‘Drinks’ You Tube channel.

Head Chef, Cedrik Rullier, will also be using his classical culinary training gained during his years working in his home country of France. He will create a delicious French inspired menu to complement the excellent wine selections made by Amelia, featuring a range of wineries from the Rhone region. The Rhône is generally divided into two sub-regions with distinct vinicultural traditions, which Amelia will explore during this fun and informative evening.

Taking place on Friday 3rd October, diners will be greeted with a welcome drink and delicious canapés on arrival, followed by an expertly prepared and matched five course meal with paired Rhone tasting wines served throughout, followed by coffee and petit fours to finish.

To make a reservation at £75 per person to include dinner, all drinks and tasting wines, please call (01242) 602366 or email enquiries@wesleyhouse.co.uk

The Wine Bar & Grill to showcase local musicians

Here at the Wine Bar & Grill we are preparing to launch a series of new Music Nights in Winchcombe. Already a firm favourite with locals and a reputation for good food and drink, the Wine Bar & Grill is now showcasing local music evenings twice a month.

Kicking off this Saturday evening, 30th August at 8.30pm with acoustic duo Hambling & Lloyd. Phil Hambling and David John Lloyd have a vast repertoire of songs across the many genres of pop, rock, blues, jazz, soul, and country combined with excellent musicianship, guaranteed to delight their audiences wherever they go.

The Gloucester based pair have developed a unique chemistry that delivers a sensational combination of superbly passionate vocals and blistering guitar. They have both performed professionally for some time with Phil currently touring with a Van Morrison tribute band and David regularly performing at premier venues including the Everyman Theatre, The Roses Theatre, and The Colston Hall, Bristol.

Matthew Brown, owner of Wesley House added, “Our Wine Bar & Grill is a great venue for live music and with the autumn almost upon us, we decided to launch a brand new series of Saturday evening live music nights. We have put together a great line up, launching with Hambling & Lloyd and followed on Saturday 13th September with Matt Belmont and then Saturday 27th September with Set The Sail”.

Wesley House wins 1st place at Winchcombe Country Show

Wesley House is celebrating after being awarded first place for its exterior floral displays at the 2014 Winchcombe Country Show. The show originally started as the Winchcombe Flower Show in 1949 and has grown into a huge family event for residents and visitors alike. The traditional flower show component of the Winchcombe Country Show covers a wide range; floral art, vegetables, fruit, flowers, preserves and sundries, cookery, wine, crafts, arts & photography.

The Business class comes under the floral art category, where there are two classes – ‘Get Creative’ which is the most attractive display in window boxes/hanging baskets in Winchcombe and Greet and the ‘Exterior Floral Display by a Business’. Wesley House are in good company with other previous winners including Castleways, Just In and the Harvest Home in Greet.

Diane Brooks from Winchcombe Country Show, commented, “The Wesley House display is fabulous and really brightens up the centre of Winchcombe. It was difficult to choose between several very good displays and finally Wesley House was deemed to be the most outstanding.”

After over 22 years on the High Street, Wesley House pride themselves on their exterior floral displays. The whole team contributes their ideas and expertise to designing and maintaining the unique boxes and hanging baskets, with bright seasonal changes.

Matthew Brown, owner of Wesley House added, “We are delighted to have been recognised for our floral displays in Winchcombe High Street and would like to thank the organisers of Winchcombe Country Show for awarding Wesley House a first place!”

Wesley House celebrates champagne – part of the inaugral Winchcombe Festival of Fizz

Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July

Winchcombe’s lively Wine Bar & Grill at Wesley House, has joined forces with the town’s new Festival of Fizz to celebrate champagne and all things fizzy.

The Festival of Fizz weekend takes place on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July. Wesley House along with other local restaurants and bars, are running their own special promotion in celebration of champagne, with ½ price bottles of Champagne and Prosecco available throughout the festival weekend.

The festival itself is marking the 400th anniversary of locally born and raised Christopher Merrett, attributed with the development of the bottle for 2nd fermentation of “fizz” some 20 years before Dom Perignon in France.

Wesley House is already well known locally for its popular Friday Fizz promotion but is extending this to the whole weekend, with ½ price “Fruit Infused Fizz” using both Champagne at £4.50 per glass and Prosseco at £3.50. A choice of strawberry, peach, raspberry and elderflower infusion is sourced mainly from local grower Hayles Fruit Farm, a few miles outside of Winchcombe.

Mathew Brown, owner of Wesley House added, “With such an esteemed former resident of Winchcombe being the brainchild of fizz, we had to run a weekend long fizz event and celebrate in true style.”

Jazz Lunch in the Cotswolds

Monday 26th May

To help you relax and recharge your batteries over the long Bank Holiday weekend, well known here at Wesley House we are hosting a special Jazz lunch.

Our Experienced Head Chef, Cedrik Rullier and his team will offer a seasonal menu to tantalise your taste buds, accompanied by uplifting jazz music from a well known local band.

Cedrik says, “We are taking a very relaxed approach to Bank Holiday with our regular New Years Day Jazz Band, Johnny Fingers Trio, playing throughout lunch and tables available to book between 12noon and 3pm.”

Highlights of the current menu to whet your appetite include Grilled Cornish Mackerel, with pickled beetroot, horseradish cream, followed by Roast Lemon and Thyme Chicken Breast, with Sweet potato puree, apple and port sauce, and to finish Chocolate Torte with Popping candy and cherry ice cream. Wesley House is the perfect place to spend your Bank Holiday weekend enjoying good food with family and friends.

Wesley House hosts a new Winchombe Festival of Music & Arts event

Tuesday 20th May

This year’s Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts has a new addition to the line up, with acclaimed local restaurant Wesley House hosting a seasonal Cookery Demonstration on Tuesday 20th May.

The AA ** rosette restaurant in the heart of Winchcombe, has an excellent reputation for fine food and undoubtedly the seasonal cookery demonstration will share hints and tips to their continued success. Experienced Head Chef, Cedrik Rullier, has designed a menu reflective of the seasonal dishes currently offered at Wesley House, and on which it has built an enviable reputation, over the past 25 years.

Cedrik says, “Guests will be greeted at 10.30am for an 11am start with coffee. This will be followed by my cookery demonstration, a glass of Prosecco and a question and answer session. I will also be joined by my colleague and well known local chef, Rob Owen from The Royal Oak at Gretton. “

The cookery demonstration will be followed by a delicious two course lunch and guests can choose from a range of Wesley House classics including; Roast Pork Tenderloin, carrot puree, apple and port sauce, Spring Vegetable Risotto, pea shoots, parmesan crisp and Confit of Cod, Beetroot, radish and smoked prawns. For dessert Cedrik will be tantalising guest’s taste buds with Chocolate Torte with popping candy and cherry ice cream, Vanilla Panna Cotta with poached rhubarb and Passion Fruit Parfait with pineapple, lime and coconut rocher.

The cost of the event will be £35 to include a £5 donation to the Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts. To book please call (01242) 602366 or email enquiries@wesleyhouse.co.uk

Wesley House Italian Wine & Dinner Tasting Night

Friday 2nd May, 2014

There are so many wonderful wines created in so many areas of Italy, so Wesley House have decided to base the next in our series of fun tasting nights, on wines produced in the southern Italian vineyards.

Talented Head Chef, Cedrik Rullier, will be putting together a delicious menu to complement the excellent wine selections made by Amelia Singer, Wesley House’s well respected and knowledgeable local wine expert. Amelia has worked in wineries around the world including Bordeaux, Rioja, Chile and has also recently worked with Jamie Oliver on his exciting new Drinksyoutube channel!

Taking place on Friday 2nd May, diners will be greeted with a welcome drink and delicious canapés on arrival, followed by an expertly prepared and matched five course meal with paired Italian tasting wines served throughout, followed by coffee and petit fours to finish.

To make a reservation at £75 per person to include dinner, all drinks and tasting wines, please call (01242) 602366 or email enquiries@wesleyhouse.co.uk